Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A control unit comprising: a memory that stores a system program, a control program comprising a sequence command computation program and a user program, and control data; a computation control part configured to execute the system program, the sequence command computation program, and the user program with reference to the control data; and an input and output unit connecting the computation control part to a device of a factory automation system, wherein the system program comprises a data refresh program for executing a data refresh comprising: refreshing input data in the control data stored in the memory via the input and output unit; and outputting computation results via the input and output unit, and the computation control part is configured to perform operations comprising: stopping execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program in response to the computation control part receiving a change of the sequence command computation program or the user program, and continuing to execute the data refresh program; executing the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program; and resuming execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program.
This invention relates to a control unit for factory automation systems, addressing the challenge of maintaining continuous operation during program updates. The control unit includes a memory storing a system program, a control program with a sequence command computation program and a user program, and control data. A computation control part executes these programs, referencing the control data, while an input/output unit connects the control unit to factory automation devices. The system program includes a data refresh program that periodically updates input data in the control data via the input/output unit and outputs computation results. When the sequence command computation program or user program is modified, the computation control part halts their execution but continues running the data refresh program. The updated program is then executed while the data refresh program remains active, ensuring uninterrupted data flow. After the update, the sequence command computation program and user program resume operation, with the data refresh program still running. This design prevents system downtime during program changes, maintaining real-time data processing in factory automation environments.
2. The control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the computation control part is configured to perform operations further comprising executing, in response to the computation control part receiving an instruction to change the sequence command computation program or the user program while continuing the data refresh, the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program while executing the data refresh program.
This invention relates to a control unit for industrial automation systems, specifically addressing the challenge of updating control programs without interrupting real-time data refresh operations. The control unit includes a computation control part that manages both sequence command computation programs and user programs, which are responsible for generating control signals and executing user-defined logic, respectively. The computation control part also handles data refresh operations, ensuring continuous synchronization of input/output data between the control unit and connected devices. The key innovation is the ability to modify either the sequence command computation program or the user program while maintaining uninterrupted data refresh operations. When an instruction to change one of these programs is received, the computation control part executes the change without halting the data refresh program. This ensures that real-time data exchange continues seamlessly, preventing disruptions in system operation. The solution is particularly valuable in industrial environments where continuous data flow is critical, such as in manufacturing or process control systems. By enabling program updates without downtime, the invention improves system reliability and reduces maintenance-related interruptions.
3. A data refresh method, comprising: storing, in a memory, a system program, a control program comprising a sequence command computation program and a user program, and control data; executing the system program, the sequence command computation program, and the user program with reference to the control data; executing a data refresh program, included in the system program, for executing a data refresh comprising: refreshing input data in the control data stored in the memory; and outputting computation results; receiving a change of the control program; stopping execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program in response to receiving the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program and continuing to execute the data refresh program; executing the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program; and resuming execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program.
This invention relates to a data refresh method for industrial control systems, addressing the challenge of maintaining continuous data processing while updating control programs. The method involves storing a system program, a control program (comprising a sequence command computation program and a user program), and control data in memory. The system program, sequence command computation program, and user program are executed using the control data. A data refresh program within the system program refreshes input data in the control data and outputs computation results. When a change to the control program is received, execution of the sequence command computation program and user program is stopped, but the data refresh program continues running. The updated sequence command computation program or user program is then executed while the data refresh program remains active. Finally, execution of the sequence command computation program and user program is resumed, with the data refresh program still operating. This ensures uninterrupted data processing during program updates, improving system reliability and minimizing downtime.
4. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a data refresh program, which when read and executed causes a computation control part to execute operations comprising: storing, in a memory, a system program, a control program comprising a sequence command computation program and a user program, and control data; executing the system program, the sequence command computation program, and the user program with reference to the control data; executing a data refresh program, included in the system program, for executing a data refresh comprising: refreshing input data in the control data stored in the memory; and outputting computation results; receiving a change of the control program; stopping execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program in response to receiving the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program and continuing to execute the data refresh program; executing the change of the sequence command computation program or the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program; and resuming execution of the sequence command computation program and the user program while continuing to execute the data refresh program.
This invention relates to a data refresh system for computational control in industrial or automation environments. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining continuous data refresh operations while allowing updates to control programs without disrupting ongoing computations. The system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a data refresh program that, when executed, performs several key operations. It stores a system program, a control program (comprising a sequence command computation program and a user program), and control data in memory. The system executes these programs while referencing the control data. The data refresh program specifically handles refreshing input data in the control data and outputs computation results. When a change to the control program is received, the system stops execution of the sequence command computation program and user program but continues running the data refresh program. The updated control program is then executed while the data refresh program remains active. Finally, the sequence command computation program and user program are resumed, still with the data refresh program running continuously. This ensures uninterrupted data refresh operations during program updates, improving system reliability and reducing downtime in automated processes.
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November 24, 2020
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